Northwest Missouri State University posted a Top-25 finish in the final Learfield Directors' Cup standings.
With its No. 23 finish it marks the fifth Top-25 effort from the Bearcats. Northwest was one of five MIAA schools to finish in the Top 25 in the final standings.
Northwest had 11 teams reach NCAA postseason play which allowed Northwest to score 519.00 points in the scoring system. Bearcat men's sports tallied 285.00 points, while Northwest women's sports added 234.00 points. It is the second-highest point total ever accumulated by Northwest in the Learfield Directors' Cup history only behind the 569.50 points earned in the 2022-23 season.
"I'm extremely proud of the performances from our student-athletes and coaches," Director of Athletics Dr. Andy Peterson said. "Having 11 of our 16 teams reach the postseason and being able to finish among the top-25 programs in NCAA Division II athletics is a tremendous accomplishment."
Overall, 15 sports are counted in the final D-II standings, four of which must be women's volleyball and basketball and men's basketball and baseball. The next highest (11 max.) sports scored for each institution regardless of gender, are used in the standings.
The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in the NCAA Championships.
FALL EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 119.00 pts.
Football – 25.00 pts.
Women's Cross Country – 28.00 pts.
Men's Cross Country – 66.00 pts.
WINTER EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 142.50 pts.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – 70.50 pts.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – 72.00 pts.
SPRING EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 257.50 pts.
Baseball – 25.00 pts.
Men's Tennis – 25.00 pts.
Women's Tennis – 25.00 pts.
Women's Golf – 35.50 pts.
Men's Outdoor Track & Field – 73.50 pts.
Women's Outdoor Track & Field – 73.50 pts.
2025-26 MIAA TEAMS
8. Pittsburg State – 673.00 pts.
9. Washburn – 671.00 pts.
14. Central Missouri – 577.00 pts.
18. Nebraska-Kearney – 533.75 pts.
23. Northwest Missouri State – 519.00 pts.
40. Missouri Southern – 421.75 pts.
73. Fort Hays State – 289.25 pts.
74. Central Oklahoma – 289.00 pts.
88. Rogers State – 245.50 pts.
125. Missouri Western – 170.50 pts.
180. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 86.00 pts.
198. Emporia State – 65.50 pts.
216. Newman – 45.00 pts.
Northwest's Previous Learfield Director's Cup Standings Results
1995-96 20th (284.5 pts.)
1996-97 19th (312.5 pts.)
1997-98 46th (120.0 pts.)
1998-2003 N/A
2003-04 50th (255.5 pts.)
2004-05 68th (227.5 pts.)
2005-06 19th (359.0 pts.)
2006-07 29th (405.0 pts.)
2007-08 44th (329.0 pts.)
2008-09 68th (275.0 pts.)
2009-10 56th (299.5 pts.)
2010-11 48th (319.0 pts.)
2011-12 76th (235.5 pts.)
2012-13 149th (117.0 pts.)
2013-14 69th (265.0 pts.)
2014-15 121st (177 pts.)
2015-16 57th (304.0 pts.)
2016-17 47th (362.0 pts.)
2017-18 190th (90.50 pts.)
2018-19 44th (347.0 pts.)
2019-20 & 2020-21 – No Standings due to COVID-19
2021-22 36th (394.5 pts.)
2022-23 13th (569.5 pts.)
2023-24 26th (460.5 pts.)
2024-25 55th (351.5 pts.)
2025-26 23rd (519.5 pts.)
